Willys Roadster

[Don Garrett]

Sweet.
Looks like the beginnings of a classy little roadster.

[hot ford coupe]

I've never seen a Willys roadster. The body looks really well done, Rick. Are you going to put a rag top one it or just leave it as is?

[Rick]

I don't think Willys ever made a roadster Jeff, but there are some real life aftermarket roadster bodies. I want this build to be different so I went the roadster route. I've kept the roof and may do something with it later but right now my efforts are fixing the body, it needs a ton of work.

[Don Garrett]

Ain't work if you're havin' fun.......doesn't matter whether Willys made one or not, that's what customs are all about.
How 'bout a lift off Carson stlye top?

[misster.ti]

That looks really really nice, i love the willys car.

Is there a shop or a adress were i can get a body from a willys?


Thanks for an answer

Thorsten

[Don Garrett]

They have been on eBay but not very often...the ones that I've seen are resin and require all the usual clean-up.

[hot ford coupe]

A removable Carson top would look fantastic. I did some research and couldn't find a real roadster so this one is really breaking new ground. What color is it going to be?

[Rick]

If you look at some of the Willy's sites, there's actually several one off roadster builds and a couple of companies are producing a highly modified roadster version of the coupe body. Thats where I got my inspiration from. Before I do anything with a roof, I have to decide where I'm going with the windshield. Right now its in stock shape and location but I'm thinking about leaning it back. But, if I do that, it changes the "form" of the body, meaning I may have to consider a piecut out of the hood and possibly the front fenders. I've even thought about taking a wedge out of the body but because of the casting method, I'm not sure the body would hold up to something that drastic. Until I get a chassis under the body and get it to sit right, I'm just going to continue fixing imperfections. Once I get a chassis under it, I'll be able to build an interior tub, and mock in the engine. Then it will be time to take a good look at it and see if I want to do some more sliceing or not. Its definitly a fun project, in more ways than one.

So in answer to your question Jeff......I dunno.

[Don Garrett]

Rick, let me toss in few thoughts based on first impressions and over-all "look appeal".
The body has more curves and smooth flowing lines than Sophia Loren....until you get to that flat bill board windshield, that is. I'm thinking you can't do the top with out the windshield and you can't do the windshield with out the top, they need to work together to get the overall look you're after.

Here's what I'm thinking.....when you get you Vette parts, eyeball the curved windshied and posts, try to visualize it on the roadster...don't know how close the size would be, but it's worth eyeballin'.
As an extra incentive...you could use some of the Vette roof panel to form your top...you know it will match the windshield and already has compound curves built in....less work!

In my minds eye it would blend right in with the rest of the body...you can get away with all sorts of things when building a custom as long as they look good.

No fender skirts please.....

[Rick]

Thats worth a look Don. If I can't make a top work, I'll leave it as is or just lean the windshield back a bit. I've seen photos of real cars where the top that was made destroyed the look of the car. Also, whenever I look at the wheel/tire mock up, the front tires are way to big. I don't know what size tire comes with the Vette but I'm hopeing they are smaller diameter.

I really appreciate everyone's comments and suggestions though.

[hot ford coupe]

Uh oh, what's wrong with fender skirts, Don. Hey Rick, if you take a lok at one of my builds called the Frankendeuce, I made a split front windshield that flowed more with the curve of the top. It's sort of like that of a 40 Ford but with the center post coming out a bit more forward. All you'd need to do in the end is pad the top, cover with vinyl and hopefully you'll wind up with something that looks good.

[slingshot]

Nice start and a great looking car, this is one they should have built back then!

[Rick]

I've been mocking up different suspension systems while waiting for my Vette stuff to arrive. This one is a full Jag IRS and it fits perfectly. As it sits, its out of the box but if I were to use it, I'd remove the bulky Jag clip so that the center section and suspension are visible. This set up could also be used on the Willys pickup and also.........

[Don Garrett]

Way cool.